The City of Canton operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and Council and works directly for the elected body. The office of the City Manager is established in Article II of the City Charter and found in Sections 2.27 through 2.31.

Billy Peppers was appointed by the Mayor and Council as City Manager in May 2015 and has served in this post since June 15, 2015. As City Manager, Billy is responsible for the supervision of all City Departments, as well as keeping the Mayor and Council apprised of the City’s finances and operations. The position is also responsible for implementing all City ordinances, policies and resolutions and assuring that they are enforced. Canton’s City Manager attends all meetings of the City Council as well as attends necessary meetings of other boards and commissions to provide greater insight of the City operations back to the Mayor and Council. Along with the City’s Chief Financial Officer, the City Manager prepares and submits to the Mayor and Council an annual operating and capital budget outlining all revenues and expenditures of the City for the future fiscal year.

Billy is a native of Summerville, Georgia and graduated from the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia in 2004, holds Level 1 & 2 Georgia Downtown Development Professional Certifications, and is recognized by the National Development Council with an Economic Development Finance Professional Certification. He is a credentialed City Manager through the International City Managers Association and is also recognized nationally at a Certified Public Manager through the University of Georgia.  He has served as an Appropriations Analyst for the Senate Budget Office of the Georgia General Assembly (2004-2005), Director of Economic and Downtown Development for the City of Woodstock (2005-2012), and State Director of Downtown Development for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (2012-2015). Billy is married to Julie Prather, a native of Canton, who serves as the Principal at Free Home Elementary School. They have two sons, Turner and Jennings.

Contact

The City Manager’s Office is located at City Hall and Billy is available to meet with the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is encouraged to make appointments through Donna Bell, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager at donna.bell@cantonga.gov, though walk-in appointments are also available. Billy is always accessible by email at billy.peppers@cantonga.gov.